Dog Insistent on a Walk Leads Owner to Missing Elderly Woman

Rebecca Burley was about to go volunteer at an animal shelter on Tuesday when her dog, Roxanne, demanded to be taken for a walk. As fate would have it, an elderly woman had gone missing, and the sagacious dog led her human right to her!

“So we went out for a walk, right along our usual route around the neighborhood where we have been walking her since August,” Rebecca told 13 News Now.

But unlike every other day they go out, police were swarming around the area.

“One of the officers pulled up and asked if we have seen someone walking around in a nightgown, and I said ‘no,’ but assumed it was an elderly person.”

The pair continued along their stroll, but moments later, Roxanne dragged Rebecca over to a ditch.

“She pulled me towards a ditch, and there was a woman laying down in a nightgown, it turns out she was in some kind of distress,” Rebecca explained.

She flagged down officers to tell them they had found the woman, and paramedics were called. Rebecca doesn’t know who she is or how she’s doing now, and hopes family members will see the news stories and let her know.

Roxanne was once rescued, and now has paid the good deed forward. Rebecca hopes this will encourage others to adopt shelter dogs – someday they might save a life. This one was rewarded with an extra snack that day.

About Melanie

studied English and has a bachelor's degree in psychology, with a focus on animal behavior, neuropsychology, and psychotherapy. She shares two pit bulls (adopted from the SPCA Serving Erie County) with her family, as well as three adopted cats with her husband, Fred. She takes pride in being a grammar enthusiast and advocating for animals, the environment, equal rights, and humanitarianism. She loves camping, cooking, taking photos, listening to psychedelic rock and indie music, and making all sorts of crafty things - from charm bracelets and paper rose bouquets to kitty condos and feral cat houses!

Melanie was sharing this profile with Fred, who is new to the Life With Dogs family, so many stories that were written by Fred from April 2014 - June 2014 will appear under Melanie's name.

Dogs, again. Yet we abuse them, throw them away, use them as weapons of war. Only the select few of us see them for what they are: protectors, companions, loyal friends, even angels if you wish. These creatures are so much more than we give credit.

You are so right! They are God’s gift to humans and we should love, respect and honor them for all they are to us! We should not kill or abuse them!cPeople who do such awful things will be judged and I would hate to be them!!!